Taxi companies to stretch cabs

Beginning next month, taxi companies Yellow Cab Management and Royal 3 CCC will begin converting their taxi fleets to vehicles with more passenger legroom, according to Royal President Simon Garber.

About 100 of the stretch-model Ford Crown Victorias will initially be put into service with Yellow and 50 with Royal, said Mr. Garber, who recently took over maintenance duties for Yellow's fleet. Yellow executives could not be reached for comment.

Within a year, Mr. Garber expects all 413 Yellow and 277 Royal taxis to be converted to stretch models, which have a slightly longer wheelbase than the standard Crown Victoria.

Mr. Garber says the change was prompted by the popularity of the roomier cars with cab riders. His Chicago Carriage Cab Co. has been operating some 200 stretch taxis for more than a year.

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